"It's not pie in the sky".

That was the reaction from renowned architect Lord Foster as he unveiled his ambitious vision for a multi-billion pounds airport - complete with the UK's largest rail station.

In an exclusive interview with KM Group reporter Alan McGuinness, the award-winning designer said the airport plans could definitely make it off the drawing board.

They involve building the hub airport - with twice the capacity of Heathrow - together with a huge barrage and a new rail network system: effectively an M25 for the railways, skirting London.

But, after saying his scheme was a national one, for the benefit of us all and future generations, he conceded that he understood the concern of those living in Allhallows and Grain, who would be affected if the airport was built.

He said: "I understand the concern, and there is a case for not doing anything.

"That I accept, and in a democratic country that is a choice.

"But if we do something then somebody's lives are going to be affected."

"I can only assume that it will be tackled responsibly, with sensitivity and with compensation."

He said any initiatives - those from the past and those for the future - affected lives.

"It's a balance," he said. "If you address the national interest of future generations still to come you have to have the courage and you have to face up to the realities in terms of trade, in terms of competitiveness and in terms of quality of life, now and for future generations."

He said he wouldn't be surprised if there weren't objections to the far-reaching scheme. That was "human nature".

Lord Foster said: "Anyone of us in that situation would react similarly."

But he said obstacles to the plan could be overcome.

He added: "If it's serious, and it delivers real long-term benefits, and it minimises the environmental impact, notwithstanding there will be some effect on individual's lives, then in the long term history tells us those initiatives are welcome, and we are grateful for them in the future."

"Here it's a balance of interests: a balance of national interests. It certainly isn't pie in the sky."